Psalms 73:25–26
With a failing heart, the psalmist clings to God
Study it word by word25Whom have I in the heavens? And with you I desire nothing on earth.
26My body and my heart are consumed; the rock of my heart and my portion is Elohim forever.
In its context
23But I am always with you; you have grasped my right hand.
24With your counsel you will guide me, and afterward with glory you will take me.
…
27For look, those far from you will perish; you annihilate all who prostitute themselves away from you.
28But as for me, the nearness of Elohim to me is good; I have placed my refuge in Adonai YHWH, to recount all your works.
Its words in the original
- שָּׁמָיִםshamayim· heavens, sky
The heavens: what is above, where the clouds, the sun and the stars are seen; also the dwelling of God. In Hebrew it is always plural. With birds, "the sky".
- חָפַצְתִּיchafatsti· desire, delight in
Want, desire; be pleased with someone, delight in.
- אָרֶץarets· earth, land
The earth, in two senses: the whole world in contrast with the heavens, or a particular country or region ("the land of Egypt").
- כָּלָהkala· finish, consume
Finish, complete something; come to an end. Also put an end to something, consume it, destroy it.
- שְׁאֵרִsheeri· flesh, close relative
Flesh, meat; also food. And so a close relative, someone "of the same flesh".
- לְבָבִlevavi· heart
Heart: the inner part of the person, where one thinks, feels and decides.
- צוּרtsur· rock
Rock, a large crag. It is also an image of God as a firm refuge.
- חֶלְקִchelki· portion, share
Portion, the share that falls to someone; also smoothness (of speech).
- אֱלֹהִיםelohim· Elohim, God, gods
The Hebrew word usually translated "God". This translation keeps "Elohim" when it speaks of the one true God, the Creator, the God of Israel. The word ends like a plural, but it does not mean several: for him the verb is singular ("Elohim created"); the plural form expresses greatness. The same word as a common noun names the "gods" of other peoples, and there it is a true plural, translated "gods". It is also used of mighty ones or judges.
- עוֹלָםolam· forever, eternal
A very long time whose end cannot be seen: looking forward, "forever"; looking back, "of old", "ancient".